TFSC Commissioners

The TFSC is comprised of seven Commissioners appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Two members must be licensed as both an embalmer and a funeral director for at least five years preceding appointment, one member must be a registered cemetery owner or operator, and four members must represent the public. The public members may not be regulated under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 651, and must consistently show an interest in supporting consumer protection. The Governor designates the presiding officer to serve for a period of three years.

Members serve six year terms. Current Commission members, with the expiration dates of their terms, are as follows:

Jean Olinger, Presiding Officer (2/1/2019)

Commissioner Olinger earned a doctorate in management and organizational leadership and a master's degree in social work. She is currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with an active practice in the Blanco area and has a wide range of clinical experience and nursing facility management. The Olinger family relocated from Wichita Falls to Blanco. Governor Abbott appointed Commissioner Olinger to serve as presiding officer on June 17, 2015 for a term to expire in June 2018.

Larry Allen, Assistant Presiding Officer (2/1/2021)

Commissioner Allen has attended Amber University, the Southwestern Law Enforcement Institute, and the Dallas County Sheriff’s Academy. He began his career in law enforcement at the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department in 1974. Mr. Allen was hired by the Mesquite Police Department in 1979 and was promoted through the ranks, retiring as a Lieutenant. He served in the Patrol Bureau, Criminal Investigations, Internal Affairs Division, Property Room, and the Technical Services Bureau. While Mr. Allen was a sergeant and a lieutenant in the Mesquite Police Department, he led the Family Support Team, which assisted officers and their families during personal tragedies and times of need. Commissioner Allen has been involved in the National Emergency Number Association and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials.

His volunteer work has included the Mesquite Ministerial Alliance, Mesquite Planning and Zoning Commission as Chairman, Mesquite Capital Improvement Advisory Committee as Chairman, Mesquite Quality of Life Tax Corporation as a board member and Secretary, Career Technical Education Committee with Mesquite Independent School District, City of Mesquite Retirees Association. He also served as a Deacon and Vice Chairman of Deacons at First Baptist Church in Mesquite. Governor Greg Abbott appointed Mr. Allen to the Texas Funeral Service Commission in 2015.

Greg Compean (2/1/2021)

Commissioner Gregory Compean is a licensed Texas Funeral Director and President/Owner of Compean Funeral Home, Inc. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science and is a graduate of the Commonwealth College of Funeral Service in Houston, Texas. He has been a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in The State of Texas since 1987. After serving in numerous positions related to the Funeral Industry such as Funeral Home and Cemetery Management and Director of Marketing in Pre-Need Sales, he fulfilled his dream and opened Compean Funeral Home, Inc. in 1997.

He was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2015 to The Texas Funeral Service Commission. He is a member of the Texas Funeral Directors Association, the Houston Metropolitan Funeral Directors Association, former Director of The Harris County Houston Sports Authority (2011 – 2015), former Board Member of The Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (2007-2010), member of the East End Chamber of Commerce and of the Camara de Empresarios Latinos de Houston, and member of the Knights of Columbus Council #2801.

He is a Congressional Recognition recipient For Heroic Efforts of the Aftermath of Hurricane Ike, National Hispanic Professional Organization Businessman of the Year – 2009 presented by the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region, recipient of a Proclamation of “Greg Compean Day” (September 9) presented by former City of Houston Mayor Bill White, Hispanic Excellence Award Winner of Voz Educacion Voto Victoria, recipient of such honors as the 2010 BBB Gold Star Recipient Member of the Better Business Bureau, The Business of the Year – 2009, and the 2009 Hispanic Excellence Award Winner.

Understanding the importance of being a good steward of his community, he focuses also on the betterment and the support of education, church activities, law enforcement and first responders, veterans, senior citizens, children’s little leagues and various other charitable and community organizations. It is the love and passion for his industry that drives him to devote his efforts to serving as a mentor and a positive role model for his own children, Chelsi Lynn Compean and Gregory Sean Compean, as well as other children of the community.

Dianne Hefley (2/1/2023)

Commissioner Hefley is a licensed realtor in Amarillo, Texas.

Jonathan Scepanski (2/1/2019)

Jonathan is currently the Chief Operating Officer with Apex Primary Care, where he has been employed since 2005. He handles the day to day operating activities, including management. He is involved in developing and establishing operating policies to support overall company policies and objectives. He is an advocate for the healthcare industry and takes part in the policy and rule making process with the Texas Health and Human Services and the State of Texas. Jonathan is a board member of the Texas Association of Home Care and Hospice and sits on committees for Government Affairs and Community Care. He is an active member of local community advisory work groups with the Managed Care Organizations (Superior, CIGNA HealthSpring) in South Texas. He sits on multiple workgroups to advise the Health and Human Services (HHS) in making policy recommendations to ensure that recipients receive the services for which they’re eligible. Jonathan has attended Northwood University, with a concentration in Marketing and Management.

Gary Shaffer (2/1/2019)

Commissioner Shaffer graduated from Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in Dallas, Texas. He began his career at Ellis Funeral Home in Midland, Texas after 5 years of employment he purchased Newby Funeral Homes in Robert Lee and Bronte, Texas in 1978. He has owned and operated Shaffer Funeral Homes for the past 40 years. In 1997, he and his partner opened Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Homes in Crane & McCamey, Texas with a Funeral Chapel in Iraan, Texas. In 1999, Shaffer Funeral Home and Pioneer Memorial Park was opened and Belvedere Memorial Park was purchased, and in 2010 Shaffer Funeral Home in San Angelo was opened.

Commissioner Shaffer is active in his community, serving on the following:

Bronte Chamber of Commerce (a founding Director)

Bronte City Council

Justice of the Peace – Coke County

Member – Hayrick Masonic Lodge #696

Member – Order of the Eastern Star, Robert Lee & Bronte #187

Member – The Scottish Rite

Member – The Suez Shrine

Member – The First Baptist Church, Bronte

Member – West Texas Funeral Director Association

Past President- West Texas Funeral Directors Association

Member – Texas Funeral Directors Association

Past President – Texas Funeral Directors Association

Served as Chairman of Texas Funeral Directors Association’s, Legislative Committee

Served as Texas Funeral Directors Association’s, Directors At Large, twice

Mr. Shaffer has been awarded Funeral Director of the Year from the West Texas Funeral Directors Association twice (May 2005 and May 2012). He also has been honored as Funeral Director of the year on the State level from the Texas Funeral Directors Association in 2012.

Governor Rick Perry appointed Mr. Shaffer to serve on the Texas Funeral Service Commission for a term to expire on February 1, 2019.

Kristin Tips (2/1/2023)

Commissioner Tips is a licensed funeral director at Mission Park Funeral Chapels, Cemeteries and Crematories in San Antonio, Texas where she also serves as President and Chief Operating Officer.